The Young and the Restless – Episode 159 of Season 50 aired on May 17th 2023 – At Crimson Lights, Lauren questioned Michael (Christian Jules Le Blanc) about Phyllis’ unexpected return and wondered what Daniel (Michael Graziadei) knew that only Phyllis or the police would be aware of. Michael revealed that Daniel had knowledge of Stark’s (James Hyde) murder by scissors, which hadn’t been made public. He shared his plan to keep the information from Diane and Summer while gathering more evidence. Lauren expressed her confusion and speculated that Phyllis might not have willingly orchestrated her disappearance. She wondered how Phyllis could come back from such extreme measures.
Michael suggested that Phyllis might have wanted to subject Diane to the same torment she had endured with her. He acknowledged that while the plan seemed brilliant, it was also terrible. Lauren pondered the challenges Phyllis would face if she turned herself in, considering what she had done. Michael agreed and mentioned the possibility that Phyllis chose to stay hidden. Lauren expressed concern about Daniel being seen as unstable for claiming to have seen his dead mother.
Michael proposed that Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) could be laying low and strategizing her next move. Lauren acknowledged the backlash Phyllis would face if she resurfaced, but she still wanted her to come home safely. Michael assured her that they would find Phyllis and get through the situation. He revealed that his private investigator had made a breakthrough in their search. They discovered that Stark had initiated a process to collect Phyllis’ life insurance but hadn’t completed the paperwork before his death. The investigator obtained the contact information Stark provided, a local post office box near a motel on the outskirts of Genoa City. Lauren remarked that it was the perfect place for a presumed dead person to disappear. Michael mentioned that Jack (Peter Bergman) would be thrilled to learn about Phyllis’ potential hiding place.
In the Abbott backyard, Summer (Allison Lanier) confided in Kyle that she needed time to process the information he had shared about Phyllis. Kyle urged her to stop shutting him out if they were going to face this situation together. Summer assured him that she loved him deeply and never intended to push him away. Kyle expressed his frustration at feeling powerless to help both Summer and Diane, watching them suffer.
Kyle informed Summer that Diane was innocent and had been set up. Summer questioned if they knew that for sure, considering there hadn’t been a miraculous reunion with Phyllis. She hadn’t seen, spoken to, or touched Phyllis, but if she was indeed alive, things could improve. Summer left without further discussion.
In the Abbott living room, Diane confronted Ashley about her hostile attitude, emphasizing that they were about to become family. Ashley dismissed Diane, stating that they would never be family. Diane mentioned Jack’s readiness to marry her even when she was in jail and asserted that their marriage would happen. Ashley disagreed, insisting that Diane would return to jail and warning her not to expect any family time. Diane confidently declared that she had innocence, Michael, Kyle (Michael Mealor), and Jack on her side and dismissed Ashley’s skepticism. Tucker arrived, and Ashley suggested they leave. Tucker taunted Diane about her ankle monitor preventing her from joining them.
Tucker questioned Ashley’s concern about Diane (Susan Walters) being in a good mood. Ashley dismissed his comments and claimed that they had no idea about something regarding Phyllis, leaving her sentence unfinished. She asserted that Diane would soon face a reality check. Diane left the room.
At Society, Victoria expressed her disbelief at how Victor had handed Adam (Mark Grossman) an entire empire that would inevitably lead to disaster. Nikki asked Victoria to let Victor have it without bitter comments, as it was important to him. Nikki attempted to shift the conversation to Nate and Elena, but Victoria abruptly left, stating that she had to go to the office.
In the park, Nate confronted Audra about orchestrating Elena’s trip to Los Angeles, knowing it would break her heart. Audra argued that it
was Elena’s decision to confront Nate. Nate accused Audra of ensuring Elena knew he wasn’t alone. Audra questioned how she would have known that, claiming that Elena had been determined to find Nate.
Nate urged Audra to stop justifying her actions, stating that she knew revealing that information would upset Elena. Audra suggested that Nate let Elena go because they weren’t a compatible match. She doubted that Elena would support Nate’s new vision for the future even without the breakup. Audra claimed to know that Nate wanted to run the empire alongside Victoria, hinting at a personal and professional connection between them.
Audra acknowledged her initial attraction to Nate but denied trying to sabotage his relationship with Victoria. She wanted Nate to see her as an ally and achieve his desires. Nate realized that Audra desired a position at Newman Media once he made his way to the top.
Later in the park, Tucker approached Ashley and invited her to dinner. He expressed his desire to spend time with his grandson Devon (Bryton James) and get to know Ashley better. Ashley suggested that after dinner, Tucker could slide his things into her room, hinting at a more intimate connection. Tucker considered the idea and said he would think about it.
At the jazz lounge, Summer (Allison Lanier) approached Chance and asked if he had heard the rumor about Phyllis being alive. Chance admitted that Daniel (Michael Graziadei) had claimed to have seen Phyllis alive. However, he viewed it as a ploy to help Diane rather than a genuine revelation. Chance acknowledged that it was cruel to give Summer false hope, but he believed there was more to the story involving Stark. He thought that the theory of Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) faking her death to frame Diane was unlikely and would backfire on Michael (Christian Jules Le Blanc) and Jack. Summer refused to accept it as fact and questioned if Phyllis could return without facing prison. Chance explained that it would depend on the evidence she presented. Summer expressed concern for Phyllis, who might be afraid to return and was likely agonizing over what would happen to her.
In the upstairs lounge at the Athletic Club, Summer confronted Daniel, upset that he had gone to Jack with the information about Phyllis without waiting for a plan that wouldn’t ruin Phyllis’ life. Daniel defended his actions, claiming that he had protected all of them and found a way to help Phyllis without exposing her lies. Summer accused Daniel of betraying Phyllis, but he insisted that he had done what was necessary to keep her safe. Their argument was interrupted by Kyle’s arrival, who asked what was going on. Summer expressed her upset about Phyllis, while Kyle defended Daniel’s actions. Summer left for work, and Kyle followed her, disappointed that she had shut him out again.
In Victoria’s office, Nate was waiting for her. He revealed that he had been thinking about them and admitted to hurting Elena, regretting his actions. Despite that, he couldn’t deny his connection with Victoria and the impossibility of ignoring it. They shared a passionate moment, but their encounter was interrupted by Nick knocking on the door.
Nick expressed his concerns about Nate, accusing him of taking advantage of Victoria’s interest in him. He believed Nate had a pattern of using people and warned Victoria that getting involved with him was wrong. Victoria dismissed Nick’s comments and defended her relationship with Nate, asserting that she liked his ambition. Nick expressed his worry, but Victoria refused to entertain his opinions and told him that it didn’t involve him.
Later, in the elevator, Audra and Nate exchanged smiles as they went their separate ways.
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Young and the Restless as the drama continues to unfold.
Watch the episode on ParamountPlus!
